News

A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Officials debunk COVID vaccine misinformation

State doctors say ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine aren’t effective at treating COVID-19.

A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
FILE - This Jan. 29, 2014 file photo shows former Denver Broncos offensive lineman and ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth in New York. Schlereth returned home to Alaska this week to encourage people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Service High alumnus made a halftime appearance Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 at West High, where his alma mater squared off against the West Eagles. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

Ex-NFL player Mark Schlereth urges Alaskans to get vaccine

“I just want to encourage everybody to do your part.”

FILE - This Jan. 29, 2014 file photo shows former Denver Broncos offensive lineman and ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth in New York. Schlereth returned home to Alaska this week to encourage people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Service High alumnus made a halftime appearance Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 at West High, where his alma mater squared off against the West Eagles. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Contractors from SECON replace the parking of St. Vincent de Paul Juneau on Aug. 20, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

St. Vincent planning for future as it undertakes long-deferred maintenance

Decisions made decades ago are coming home to roost.

Contractors from SECON replace the parking of St. Vincent de Paul Juneau on Aug. 20, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes speaks to reporters after a floor session on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers are meeting in special session, with the annual dividend paid to residents a key topic. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

PFD size up for debate in legislative session

Dividends typically are paid out in the early fall.

  • Aug 20, 2021
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • PFD
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes speaks to reporters after a floor session on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers are meeting in special session, with the annual dividend paid to residents a key topic. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
Capital City Fire/Rescue are investigating a fire that occurred in an abandoned building in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 19, 2021 as suspicious. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

Mendenhall Valley fire under investigation as possible arson

There are a number of suspicious factors, the fire marshal said.

Capital City Fire/Rescue are investigating a fire that occurred in an abandoned building in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 19, 2021 as suspicious. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)
The windows of the downtown branch of the Juneau Public Library tell passers-by that the city's overall COVID-19 alert level is high on August 20. City officials raised the alert level to curb the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, which has been spreading rapidly throughout Alaska, including Juneau. All three Juneau Public Libraries will have reduced hours starting Monday, August 23, as staff are reassigned to help with the pandemic response, city officials said in a news release late Friday. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

City takes action to slow spread; calls for community support

Renew your commitment, hospital official urges

The windows of the downtown branch of the Juneau Public Library tell passers-by that the city's overall COVID-19 alert level is high on August 20. City officials raised the alert level to curb the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, which has been spreading rapidly throughout Alaska, including Juneau. All three Juneau Public Libraries will have reduced hours starting Monday, August 23, as staff are reassigned to help with the pandemic response, city officials said in a news release late Friday. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Beavers get more than their share of blame for spreading Giardia. (Courtesy Photo / Frank Zmuda, Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

Alaska Science Forum: Beavers not always to blame for fever

If river spray hits you in the face, keep your mouth shut.

Beavers get more than their share of blame for spreading Giardia. (Courtesy Photo / Frank Zmuda, Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2019, file photo, Kelly Tshibaka speaks to reporters in Anchorage. Law enforcement officials have completed their investigation whether Tshibaka, a U.S. Senate candidate and former State of Alaska official, illegally obtained a fishing license for a sportfishing event two years ago, and turned it over to a special prosecutorial branch of the Department of Law, an official said Thursday, Aug. 19. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Prosecutors vet US Senate candidate’s fishing license case

It’s been turned over to a special prosecutorial branch of the Department of Law

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2019, file photo, Kelly Tshibaka speaks to reporters in Anchorage. Law enforcement officials have completed their investigation whether Tshibaka, a U.S. Senate candidate and former State of Alaska official, illegally obtained a fishing license for a sportfishing event two years ago, and turned it over to a special prosecutorial branch of the Department of Law, an official said Thursday, Aug. 19. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to a Thursday evening structure fire. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to structure fire

Firefighters say blaze is in abandoned home.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to a Thursday evening structure fire. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy adds bill for PFD to session agenda

Senators applaud move.

(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Hank Shaw holds coho salmon caught on the Taku River. Shaw, a hunter, angler, gardener, chef and award-winning writer, is in town this week to promote his new book "Hook, Line and Supper." (Courtesy Photo / Holly A. Heyser)

Stuffed to the gills with recipes: Award-winning writer talks new fish cookbook

Angler, hunter, cook and award-winning writer talks new book while in town.

Hank Shaw holds coho salmon caught on the Taku River. Shaw, a hunter, angler, gardener, chef and award-winning writer, is in town this week to promote his new book "Hook, Line and Supper." (Courtesy Photo / Holly A. Heyser)
Travelers check their cellphones near a sign promoting COVID-19 vaccinations in the Juneau International Airport on Thursday. Federal officials are recommending a booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine, and local health authorities say the rollout will likely be similar to the initial vaccine distribution. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City, state officials plan for September vaccine boosters

Federal details not yet released.

Travelers check their cellphones near a sign promoting COVID-19 vaccinations in the Juneau International Airport on Thursday. Federal officials are recommending a booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine, and local health authorities say the rollout will likely be similar to the initial vaccine distribution. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The waiting room at Custom Cuts II in the Jordan Creek Mall sits empty on Aug. 19. Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, new citywide COVID-19 mitigation measures mean that all personal services businesses must operate by appointment only and close all waiting areas. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Local business owners prepare to pivot

City announces increasing risk level and mitigation measures.

The waiting room at Custom Cuts II in the Jordan Creek Mall sits empty on Aug. 19. Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, new citywide COVID-19 mitigation measures mean that all personal services businesses must operate by appointment only and close all waiting areas. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
This October 2020 photo shows the MV Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Transportation department seeks review of proposed summer ferry schedule

Teleconferences are scheduled for early September.

This October 2020 photo shows the MV Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire This Aug. 13 photo shows Juneau school board candidate Ibn Bailey.

Bailey seeks school board seat

Local business owner says he brings unique perspective

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire This Aug. 13 photo shows Juneau school board candidate Ibn Bailey.
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

  • Aug 19, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17, 2020 encourages residents to wear masks in public settings. With cases surging locally, statewide and nationally, City and Borough of Juneau announced it would be fully implementing mitigation measures. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

City announces increasing risk level, mitigation measures

More stringent measures go into effect on Friday.

A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17, 2020 encourages residents to wear masks in public settings. With cases surging locally, statewide and nationally, City and Borough of Juneau announced it would be fully implementing mitigation measures. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. The BBA is currently experiencing critical shortages of multiple blood types statewide. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Alaska blood bank faces critical shortages of multiple blood types

Pandemic conditions, summer and trauma rates all add to the need.

A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. The BBA is currently experiencing critical shortages of multiple blood types statewide. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Judge throws out Trump-era approvals for Willow Project

The Trump administration approved the project, and the Biden administration defended it in court.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
A health care worker fills a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. U.S. health officials Wednesday, Aug. 18, recommended all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Health officials call for booster shots against COVID-19

Plan calls for dose 8 months after people get their 2nd shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine

A health care worker fills a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. U.S. health officials Wednesday, Aug. 18, recommended all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)